Lifting-jack.



Patented Aug. 20, I901.

W. H. OLIVER.

LIFTING JACK.

rApplication filed Aug. 9, 1900-1 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

Mine-556s ym/w I N0. 680,730. Patented Aug. 20, I90].

W. H. ULIVER.

LIFTING JACK.

(Application filed Aug. 9, 1900.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

TA/z'ineasea mt hams PEFERS co. mo'roumu" WASHINGTON o c Warren Frames ATENT FFICE.

\VILLIAM II. OLIVER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LIFTING JACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 680,730, dated August 20, 1901.

Application filed August 9, 1900. Serial No. 26,3 72. (No model- T0 (LZZ whom, it 777/661} concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. OLIVER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lifting-Jacks, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates more particularly to that class of lifting-jacks in which the movable standard is provided with a toothed rack which engages with a pinion or gear-wheel secured to a ratchet, around the axis of which oscillates a lever having a pawl which engages with the teeth of the ratchet for rotating it and lifting the standard, another pawl or a dog being provided for holding the ratchet while the first pawl returns for reengagement; and one of the important objects of myinvention is to provide means for preventing the teeth of the pin or gear wheel from slipping out of engagement with the teeth of the standard when the latter reaches the limit of its upward movement.

Another object of my invention is to provide improved and simple means whereby the standard may be lowered gradually with the weight thereon, or, if desired, allowed to descend quickly for convenience in lowering it to its normal position when free from the weight or at other desired times.

Another object of my invention is to provide a lifting-jack of improved construction in which one or more steps of the standard may be arranged at or near the lower end thereof and descend below the frame, and op erating mechanism whereby the jack will be adapted for use under axles or other objects of various heights.

With these ends in View my invention consists in certain features of novelty in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts by which the said objects and certain other objects hereinafter appearing are attained, all as fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the said drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved jack, showing the standard at about the limit of its lower movement and the operating-lever in the act of raising it. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating the standard at the limit of its upward movement, showing the holding'dog thrown out of position by the trip on the standard, hereinafter described, for preventing the pinion disengaging from the rack on the standard. Fig. 3 is an edge view or elevation looking from the left in Fig. 1. Fig. 4: is an edge view looking from the right in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a plan section taken on the line 5 5, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 1, showing the standard at the extremity of its upward movement and the operatingdever and holding-dog in position to permit the standard to drop suddenly. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of the parts in side elevation, showing the standard at the upper extremityof its upward movement and the parts in position for permitting the standard to be lowered gradually by means of the lever. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of the parts in side elevation, showing the lever raised from the lower position (indicated in Fig. '7) to its upper position and illustrating how the holding-dog reengages the ratchet before the pawl is disengaged therefrom by the mechanism for effecting the gradual descent of the standard. Fig. 9 is a detailview of the holding-dog and pawl-lifting cam hereinafter described, illustrating a slight modification therein. Fig. 10 is a similar view of the parts with the pawl-lifting cam. in its lowered position. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a modified form of the holding-dog, and Fig. 12 is a cross-section thereof, taken on the line 12 12, Fig. 11.

In carrying out my invention I employ a rigid frame 1, in the upper end of which is formed an opening 2 for the reception and passage of the jack-standard 3, which is guided in its vertical movement by bosses or lugs at, formed on opposite sides of the opening 2 and engaging with ribs 5, formed on opposite sides of the standard 3. These bosses 4 are formed on the top plate of the frame 1 and effectually hold the standard against lateral movement in either direction. The edge of the frame 1 contiguous to the standard is provided with a slot 6, which preferably extends from top to bottom,so that the lower end of the standard and also, if desired, its intermediate portions maybe provided with one or more steps 7 8 in addition g the opposite side of the frame 1.

to the usual step 9, which ordinarily does not descend below the top of the frame 1. The steps are formed on a rib along the outer edge of the standard 3 and which projects through the slot 6, which is of less width than the steps, so that the latter will overlap the edges of the slot, and thus effectually hold the lower end of the standard against oscillation, even in the absence of any direct support against internal portions of the frame. By this means it will be seen that the jack is adapted for use under vehicle-axles or under any other objects it may be desired to lift of various heights, and it will also be seen that this construction enables me to make the jack very compact when not in use, as it shortens the length of the standard or, in other words, provides for the utilization of that portion of the standard for supporting the steps which has heretofore been used and required merely for the toothed rack.

11 represents the operating handle or lever, which is loosely pivoted on a shaft 12, journaled in suitable bearings 13, formed in the sides of the frame 1, one side of the frame being provided with a removable plate 14, held in place by screws or bolts to facilitate the insertion of the mechanism. Upon the shaft .12 is rigidly secured a ratchetwheel 16, which is straddled by the bifurcated end 17 of the lever 11 and engaged bya hookshaped pawl 18, pivoted to the lever 11. Also formed on or secured to the shaft 12 is a pinion 19, which engages the aforesaid toothed rack on the contiguous edge of the standard 3 and raises the latter when the shaft 12 is rotated by means of the handle 11 and pawl 18. When the pawl 18 returns to rengage the ratchet 16, the ratchet is held from rotating in the same direction by means ofa holding-dog 21, pivoted on a shaft or pintle 22, mounted in the side plate 14 and This holding-dog 21 is arranged in the reverse position of the pawl 18, as usual in devices of this construction, so that when the ratchet 16 rotates in engagement with the pawl 18 the teeth will pass the holdiug-dog'21, but engage with said dog when attempting to move in the opposite direction. I

The lower end of the holding-dog 21 protrudes from the side of the frame 1 through a suitable aperture 23 when in its normal or engaging position, as shown in Fig. 1, and the standard 3 is provided at a suitable point, preferably at its lower end, with a trip 24, which engages under the dog 21 when the standard arrives at the limit of its upward movement and before the teeth of the pinion 19 have opportunity to disengage from or slip past the lower tooth of the rack 20. The lower end of dog 21 is recessed at 21, so that the trip 24 will engage therein and positively hold the dog out of engagement. By this means it will be seen that should it be attempted to operate the lever 11 after the standard has reached the extremity of its upward movement the ratchet-wheel, and consequently the pinion 19, would rotate backward when the lever 11 is raised, because of the disengagement of-the holding-dog 21 from the ratchet 10, and as a consequence the standard could not be forced sufficiently high to permit the teeth of the pinion to slip past the lower tooth of the rack 20; but the rack 20 will simply rise and fall with the pinion as often as the lever is oscillated.

I will now describe the means whereby the standard 3 may be gradually lowered, with the weight thereon, if desired, by means of the operating-lever 11. 25 represents a Weight which is provided with an arm 26, pivoted to an car 27 on frame 1 or otherwise supported on the frame with capability of oscillation, and this weight is formed or provided with a slot 28, in which engages a lug 29, projecting from a tailpiece 21 formed on or secured to the holding-dog 21, so that when the weight 25 is not otherwise restrained it will descend until its downward pressure on the lug 29 disengages and lifts the holding-dog 21 into the position shown in Fig. 7. One side of the weight 25 is provided with a cam 30, and the contiguous side of the pawl 18 is provided with a lug 31, adapted to engage under the cam 30 when the lever 11 is raised and over the cam 30 when the lever is lowered. Thus it will be seen that assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Fig. 7, with the holding-dog held out of engagement by the weight 25, the upward movement of theleverll will cause the lug 31 to engage under the cam 30, and thereby lift the weight 25. The lower end of the dog 21 being heavier than its tailpiece 21 such dog Will reengage with the ratchet 16, but not until the ratchet has turned a considerable distance in the reverse direction or toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 7, thus letting the standard 3 descend. the holding-dog 21 thus reengages the ratchet the lug 31 on the pawl 18 will have arrived at the end of the cam 30that is, at the righthand end, as viewed in Fig. 7-and the continued movement of the lug 31 toward the right will permit the cam to drop down with its right-hand end below the lug, so that the return movement toward the left will cause the lug 31 to ride upwardly over the cam 30, and consequently lift the pawl 18 out of engagement with the ratchet 16 and permit the lever to be lowered until the lug 31 drops off the left-hand end of the cam 250, permitting the pawl 18 to again engage the ratchet. Now by slight downward movement of the lever 11 in the same direction the friction of the ratchet 16 against the holding-dog 21 will be relieved, and the weight 25 will consequently again lift the holding-dog 21 out of engagement with the ratchet, whereupon the latter will be free to rotate backwardly or toward the right, when the lever 11 is again raised, thereby permitting the standard to again descend a short distance, this operation being repeated until the standard shall have By the time been lowered the desired distance. At such times as it may not be desired to thus gracinally lower the standard the weight may be supported clear of the tailpiece 21 and the cam lifted out of reach of the lug 31 by means of a latch 32, formed on the weight 25 and adapted to be engaged over a catch or notch 33, formed on the frame 1, when the latch 32 is lifted to a sufficient elevation, the latch 32 being held against accidental dislodgment from the catch 33 by means of a spring 34:. The extension 21 on the upger end of the tailpiece 21, which is adapted to come against a shoulder 35, formed on the frame 1, is for the purpose of limiting lateral movement of the tailpiece 21 toward the weight 25, and thus guard against the possibility of the tailpiece or dog 21 crowding over against the weight 25 or so nearly to it as to prevent the proper operation of the latter. In order that the weight 25 may be lifted to its inactive position and its latch 32 engaged with the catch 33 automatically by the act of lifting the jack by the lever 11 in moving it from place to place, I provide the upper side of the lever 11 with an incline 11, which, when the lever is thrown into an extreme upward position as a result of picking the jack up by means of the lever, will come into engagement with the end of the cam 30 r or other convenient part of the weight 25 and force the weight upwardly until the latch 32 may be caused to engage over the catch 33 by the spring 34. Should it be desired, however, to permit the standard 3 to drop suddenly to the lower end of its downward movement, such action maybe accomplished by simply forcing the lever 11 upwardly until the free end of the pawl 18 crowds the holding-dog 21 out of engagement with the ratchet by abutting thereagainst in the manner shown in Fig. 6, the holding-dog 21 being provided with an incline 21 with which the curved end of the pawl 18 engages in the manner shown in said figure, and thus not only forces the holding-dog out of engagement, but also lifts the pawl 18 away from the ratchet and holds it disengaged until the lever is again lowered.

In the modification shown in Figs. 9, l0, and 11 I have shown the weight 25 provided with a lug 29 adapted to rest upon the tailpiece 21 of the holding-dog, whereas in the form first described this lug is arranged on the tailpiece of the dog.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a lifting-jack the combination of a frame having a vertical slot in the side thereof, guide-lugs at the top of the frame adjacent to said slotted side, a standard inserted in said frame and having vertical ribs engaging between said slotted side of the frame and guide-lugs for guiding it, a guide secured to or near the lower end of said standard and \estin g against the outer side of said frame,

a step secured to said standard at or near its lower end and means for raising said stan dard, substantially as set forth.

2. In a lifting-jack the combination of a standard having a rack, a pinion engaging with said rack, a ratchet-wheel operatively connected to said pinion, a pawl engaging said ratchet'wheel, a holding-dog adapted to engage said ratchet-wheel, means for actuating said pawl to rotate said ratchet and means for disengaging said holding-dog by the in ovement of said standard, substantially as set forth.

3. In a lifting-jack the combination of a standard, means for lifting said standard and a trip operated by said standard for throwing said lifting means out of action, substantially as set forth.

4. In a lifting-jack the combination of a standard having a rack, a pinion engaging said rack, means for rotating said pinion for lifting said standard and a trip carried by said standard for throwing said lifting means out of action, substantially as set forth.

5. In a liftingjack the combination of a standard having a rack, a pinion engaging said rack, means for rotating said pinion, a holding-dog for preventing retrograde movement of said pinion, and a trip actuated by the movement of said standard for disengaging said holdi ng-dog, substantially as set forth.

0. In a lifting-jack the combination of a standard, a ratchet-wheel operatively connected therewith, a pawl engaging with said ratchet-wheel for rotating the same, a dog for preventing retrograde movement of said ratchet-wheel, means for holding said dog out of engagement when the standard is to be lowered and means in connection with said pawl for causing the rengagement of said dog as said pawl is oscillated, substantially as set forth. I

7. In a lifting-jack the combination of a standard, a ratchet-wheel operatively connected therewith, a holding-dog for preventing retrograde movement of said ratchetwheel, a pawl engaging with said ratchetwheel, a weight for holding said dog out of engagement and means in connection. with said pawl for temporarily lifting said weight and permitting said dog to rengage as the pawl is oscillated, substantially as set forth.

8. In a lifting-jack the combination of a standard, a ratchet-wheel operatively connected therewith, a holding-dog for preventing the retrograde movement of said ratchetwheel, a pawl for rotating said ratchet-Wheel a weight, for holding said holding-dog out of engagement, having a cam and means in connection with said pawl for engagement with said cam and lifting said weight when the pawl is moving in one direction and lifting said pawl out of engagement with the ratchet when the pawl is moved in the opposite direction, substantially as set forth.

9. In a lifting-jack the combination of a standard, a ratchet operatively connected IIO i l i therewith, a holding-dog for preventing retrograde movement of said ratchet, a pawl for rotating said ratchet; a weight, for holding said holding-dog out of engagement, having a cam, a lug projecting from said pawl and adapted to engage under said cam and lift said weight when the pawl is moved in one direction and to ride over said cam and lift said pawl when the pawl is moving in the opposite direction substantially as set forth.

10. In a lifting-jack the combination of a standard, a ratchet operatively connected therewith, a holding-dog for preventing retrograde movement of said ratchet, a pawl for rotating said'ratchet, a weight for holding said dog out of engagement, means in connection with said pawl for lifting the weight when the pawl is moved in one direction and lifting said pawl when it is moved in the opposite direction, and a catch for holding said weight normally elevated, substantially as set forth.

11. In a lifting-jack the combination of a standard, an operating-lever, means for lifting said standard by the oscillation of said lifting means, means for changing said lifting-operating means to gradually-lowering means, and means in connection with said lever for shifting said changing means back into normal position when the lever is elevated, substantially as set forth.

12. In a lifting-jack the combination of a standard, a ratchet having operative connection therewith, a holding-dog for preventing retrograde movement of said ratchet, a pawl for rotating said ratchet, a shiftable device for holding said dog out of engagement, an operating-lever for oscillating said pawl and means in connection with said operating-lever for throwing said shiftable device back to its normal inactive position, substantially as set forth.

13. In a lifting-jack the combination of a standard, a ratchet operatively connected therewith, a holding-dog for preventing retrograde movement of said ratchet, a pawl for rotating said .ratchet, a lever for actuating said pawl, a weight for holding said dog out of engagement, means for alternately lifting said weight and pawl by the oscillation of said lever, a catch for holding said weight aloof and means on said lever for causing said weight to engage said catch when the lever is raised, substantially as set forth.

14. In a lifting-jack the combination of a standard, a ratchet, operatively connected therewith, a dog for holding said ratchet against retrograde movement, having the incline 21, a pawl for rotating said ratchet adapted to engage said incline for lifting itself and the dog out of engagement, substantially as set forth.

15. In a lifting-jack the combination of a standard, an operating-lever, means for lifting said standard, by the oscillation of said lever, comprising a disengageable member, a dog for holding said standard from descending while said disengageable member is out of engagement and means for holding said dog out of engagement while said disengageable member is in engagement, substantially as set forth.

16. In a liftingjack the combination of a standard, an operating-lever, means for liftin g said standard by the oscillation of said lever, comprising a ratchet, a pawl operatively connected with said lever for turning said ratchet and a dog for holding said ratchet against retrograde movement while the pawl is disengaged therefrom; and means for causing said ratchet and dog to alternately engage and disengage by the oscillation of said lever, substantially as set forth.

WILLIAM H. OLIVER.

Witnesses:

EDNA B. JOHNSON, F. A. HOPKINS. 

